Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership

I have now received the report of the Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) from Dr Warren Mundy.

The NLAP is a $2.4 billion agreement between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to fund vital legal assistance services for the most vulnerable people in Australia. The agreement expires next year.

The NLAP funds Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.

Dr Mundy was asked to consider how future arrangements could better provide access for justice for all who need it.

Legal assistance is essential to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law.

On behalf of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments I acknowledge everyone in the legal assistance sector who engaged with the review and sincerely thank Dr Mundy for his work.

Commonwealth and state and territory governments will now carefully consider Dr Mundy’s report.